wELCOME STUDENTS AND PARENTS!

Please take some time to explore these school counselor webpages. We hope you will find them not only helpful but informative as well. We are available to you as a resource to help navigate your child through the middle years of their education. If you have any questions or concerns about your child in middle school, give us a call: Laurie O'Halloran (A-N) (631) 723-4700 x 2115, email lohalloran@hbschools.us or Mrs. Jessica Sears (O-Z and bilingual) (631) 723-4700 x 2114 email at jsears@hbschools.us or Amanda Catalano, School Psychologist at (631) 723-4700 x 2113 email at acatalano@hbschools.us. If your questions are of a general nature please feel free to contact Mrs. Kuhn our counseling office secretary at x 2106 or akuhn@hbschools.us

Connecting with Your Child's School Counselor for a Successful School Year﻿Understand the expertise and responsibilities of your child's school counselor.﻿School counselors make a measurable impact in every student's life, assisting with academic, career and personal/social development. Professional school counselors are trained in both educating and counseling, allowing them to function as a facilitator between parents, teachers and the student in matters concerning the student's goals, abilities, and any areas needing improvement. School counselors provide services not only to students in need, but to all students. Discuss your child's challenges and concerns with the school counselor.As a parent, you know your child best. However, the school counselor can help you better understand your child as a student. It's important to encourage your child's expression of needs, hopes and frustrations. School counselors are trained to help your children. Learn about your child's school and social connections from the school counselor. When you need information or assistance, your child's school counselor can help you get in touch with the appropriate school officials; learn about school policies on behavior, attendance and dress; know the school calender of important dates and stay connected with the school in many other ways. The school counselor can also help you locate resources in the community when you need them.

Work with the school counselor to identify resources and find solutions to problems.If your child is having a problem at school, it is important to work with your child's school counselor to find solutions. Discuss resources available within and outside of the school, and get information on how such programs can benefit your child. Your school counselor can be a valuable partner in your child's education and preparation for life beyond school.

Tips For Parents/Guardians

Encourage your child to participate in clubs/activities.

Create a consistant supervised study time for your child. Establish a study area that can be monitored.

Encourage your child to ask for extra help when needed.

Check in periodically about your child's progress.

Allow your child to gain a sense of independance and responsibilty.

Encourage your child to practice good hygiene.

Have your child "pack" up for school before going to bed. It will make things easier in the morning.

Stay in communication with your child's educators through phone, email and your child's assignment planner. Sign up for the Parent Portal. This will allow you the ability to see how your child is doing in each class. Here is the link to register http://www.hbschools.us/for_parents/parent_portal

The Middle School Student Students of middle school age are very complex. They are in the midst of physical, emotional, and social growth that seems to change on a daily basis. Some of the characteristics of middle school students are as follows:

They show quite diferent levels of physical maturity.

They are frequently self-conscious.

Sometimes they appear to be awkward.

They may seem lazy at times.

They may be difficult and uncooperative sometimes.

Modd changes are not unusual.

"Small things" may upset them to the point of tears or anger.

Often they become over-critical of parents, teachers, and themselves.

They are often convinced that adults know little about life.

They want independence, but they enjoy the security of childhood.

They can be responsible and capable one day, and childish the next.

They often want help, yet they often resent being told what to do.

They often contradict and argue about things parents, siblings, teachers, and even their friends say.

Often they dislike chores and may balk when asked to help. Yet they are likely to be polite and helpful to people outside the family.

Most respond best to adults who laugh and joke with them.

These young people hold their age mates in high esteem. Peer acceptance and belonging are very important. This sometimes can strain their relationships with adults.

They, as with people of all ages, respond well to love, kindness, respect, and care.

They usually want to be regarded and treated as emerging adults rather than as children.

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